Graduate Program

The Department of Sociology at the University of California San Diego offers training in a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches from the humanistic to the computational. We have particular concentrations of expertise in the following areas:

Politics, Economics and Law brings together faculty with research interests in governance structures, political economy, political discourse, economic development, regulatory frameworks, markets and marketization, political and other social movements, and policy analysis. Collectively, they explore the intricate interplay between legal frameworks, political and economic systems, and societal dynamics.

Faculty In This Area: Michel Estefan, Ivan Evans, John Evans, David FitzGerald, Lane Kenworthy, Martha Lampland, Thomas Medvetz, Kwai Ng, Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra, Akos Rona-Tas, Gershon Shafir, and John Skrentny

Global, Migration, and Ethnic Studies brings together faculty with research interests in global diplomacy, comparative politics, migration policy, refugee rights, social construction and negotiation of racial-ethnic categories, and the socio-economic impacts of migration. Collectively, they address the complex challenges and opportunities arising from the interconnected world of international relations, globalization, and human mobility.

Faculty In This Area: Ivan Evans, David FitzGerald, Bennetta Jules-Rosette, Lane Kenworthy, Gershon Shafir, John Skrentny, Christena Turner, Vanesa Ribas, and Jake Watson

Sociology of Science/Knowledge, Environment, and Medicine brings together faculty with research interests in the social construction of scientific knowledge, environmental justice, health disparities and medical ethics, technology and society, and public health policy. Collectively, they offer an often interdisciplinary approach to understanding the implications of scientific knowledge & ethics on individual wellbeing and organizational culture.

Faculty In This Area: Camila Alvarez, Mary Blair-Loy, Ivan Evans, John Evans, Harvey Goldman, Neil Gong, Bennetta Jules-Rosette, Martha Lampland, Thomas Medvetz, Daniel Navon, Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra, Danielle Raudenbush, John Skrentny, and Charles Thorpe

Social Inequalities brings together faculty with research interests in economic disparities, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality studies, social mobility, and the examination of systemic factors that contribute to and perpetuate social inequalities. Collectively they create an interdisciplinary research environment that seeks to address and mitigate the multifaceted challenges faced by diverse communities.

Faculty In This Area: Camila Alvarez, Mary Blair-Loy, Michel Estefan, Ivan Evans, Neil Gong, Lane Kenworthy, Kevin Lewis, Richard Pitt, Danielle Raudenbush, Vanesa Ribas, Akos Rona-Tas, John Skrentny, and April Sutton

Sociology of Culture and Institutions brings together faculty with research interests in cultural theory, media studies and visual culture, cultural production and consumption, identity formation, institutional and organizational culture, and the examination of how cultural practices shape and are shaped by societal norms. Collectively, they examine the intricate dynamics of human expression, representation, and meaning-making within different social contexts.

Faculty In This Area: Mary Blair-Loy, Harvey Goldman, Bennetta Jules-Rosette, Martha Lampland, Kevin Lewis, Thomas Medvetz, Daniel Navon, Kwai Ng, Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra, Richard Pitt, Charles Thorpe, Christena Turner, Jake Watson

Our program is designed to prepare students for two main goals: to contribute to the development of knowledge about societies and thereby advance the discipline of sociology; and to teach sociology at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The majority of graduates from the program find teaching and research positions in colleges and universities; many also work in nonacademic research and social policy positions. The department offers a course of study leading to the doctor of philosophy degree. It does not accept applicants seeking only an MA degree